Search form

Women's Volleyball Send Six To Train In The USA Volleyball National A2 Program

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Some of college volleyball's brightest stars, including six members of the USC women's volleyball team, have been invited to train in the USA Volleyball National A2 Program, the organization announced Wednesday, May 8.

'Given the special needs and time lines of collegiate athletes, the National A2 program is designed to provide prospective National Team athletes with opportunities to prepare for future participation,' said Tom Pingel, USA Volleyball's Director of High Performance National Programs. 'The National A2 program, along with the various other USA High Performance Programs, is an important part of the on-going effort toward sustained competitive excellence of the USA National Teams at the international level.'

According to Pingel, participation in the A2 program will be broken down into two phases.

Phase I will involve eight athletes who will be invited to train with the U.S. Women's National Team at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs from May 19 until approximately June 24. Though the Phase I A2 team will not be participating in any specific competition during their stay, there is a chance that some of the athletes may be invited toremain to be a part of future National Team programs - including Team USA at the 2002 World Championships in Germany Aug. 30-Sept. 15.

The roster for A2 Phase I includes: Emily Adams (USC, MB); Benavia Jenkins (Florida, MB); Jennifer Joines (Pacific, MB); Katie Olsovsky (USC, OH); April Ross (USC, S); Anna Schrad (Nebraska, OH); Katie Wilkins (Pepperdine, OH); and Kim Willoughby (Hawaii, OH). Ross, an All-American outside hitter for the Women of Troy, will compete at setter with the A2 program but is expected to return as a hitter in the fall.

Phase II will involve 12 athletes who will be invited to train at the OTC from July 14-23. That team will then travel to Salt Lake City to participate in the college division of the Salt Lake Volley classic from July 23-28. Unlike the Phase I group, Phase II will be more geared toward a team concept and preparing for participation in the event in Utah.